2. analog
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ar turntable resurrection advice

I recently was given a mid 1980's AR ES turntable with an empty Sumiko Premier MMT arm. I'm anxious to get back into my pile of vinyl. What entry level cartridge can you guys recommend to an old guy with too many kids in college. I'm looking to spend $125 or less. I will be hooking this table up to an old NAD 1700 powered by an equally old NAD 2400 and played through Paradigm monitor 9's. I find my system a little on the "forward/edgy" side so a smooth musical cartridge is what I'm looking for. I listen to a lot of blues, guitar hero based classic rock, jazz and accoustic/folk/bluegrassy stuff. Does anyone have any input on the grado "color" series. I have heard good things about the ortofon om 20 but would like some second opinions.I appreciate your time and thoughts.
Tim
tda44
tda44 OP
43 posts
 
thanks narrod. that gives me a starting point. this table has a beautiful cabinet. i hope it can sound as good as it looks!
tim
tonyptony
614 posts
 
Tim, if you don't mind I'd like to open this up a bit. I actually own the exact same table and arm. Have been using it for over 14 years with a high output VDH MC cartridge. It's a good table, but does have a couple of weaknesses. It's a little soft and warm, and does not have the level of blackness or clarity that the better tables have. What I'd like to know from all the analog gurus out there is the same as Tim, except maybe a bit more. What's the best cartridge offering right now that could really bring good things to the old ES-1? I've been partial to MC carts, as long as they do not exhibit the sort of nasty steely behavior that I've heard from a few. Up to about $500 used.
tda44 OP
43 posts
 
welcome aboard tony. hope we both can pick the "smart guys"
brains.
johnnantais
621 posts
 
Well, I would have to recommend that old Classic MC, the Denon DL-103, which seduces those from the budget arena to those in the Upper Stratosphere of the High End! They are cheap new, less than $200 shippped from Germany (William Thakker on eBay), but don't judge this particular book by its price-tag. The sound is very entertaining, with excellent balance, natural highs, excellent rhythm and swing and bass. Grados are very smooth and musical MMs, but can exhibit the Grado Dance (crazy wiggling) on heavier tonearms like the Sumiko on certain records.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
sumiko blue point II (high output mc) or grado prestige gold(mm).....the sumiko may have a bit more of that darkness mentioned above.....a classic turntable
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